NEW YORK—The Accessories Council has announced the finalists for its 2023 Design Excellence Awards and among them are many eyewear and sunwear products, along with a range of fashion accessories companies in fine jewelry, fashion jewelry, handbags, general accessories and footwear. Products embodying social impact, sustainability, and tech and innovation are included, also including eyewear. Building on its history of honoring individuals and companies, the Accessories Council launched the Design Excellence Awards in 2019 to expand the recognition of outstanding products.

All finalist products selected are available for purchase in the U.S. via retail stores, e-commerce, TV retail, or direct marketing between Oct. 1, 2023, and Dec. 31, 2023.

Finalists were selected by the Accessories Council board of directors and the junior board of directors based on the criteria of excellence in design, unique appearance and/or function, consumer needs addressed by product, appropriate aesthetics, innovative materials or technology, market positioning and competitive performance, social images, emotional appeal and sustainability. This year’s finalists include a diverse mix of price points and companies, both large and small.

Now that the finalists are named, open voting (anyone can vote—one vote person) begins. Voting can be done on the Accessories Council website here and additional details about the awards are posted here.

Winners will be announced on Wednesday, November 8. Each finalist and winner also receive an “AC Seal” that can be used on products for the life of the item such as trade shows, annual reports, social media, and more. Finalists will be featured in the Fall issue of AC Magazine, which will be published the first week of October and the winners will be featured in the Winter issue of AC Magazine, which will be published the first week of January.

There are additional footwear, jewelry, handbag, social impact company finalists, posted on the Accessories Council site. The 2023 Design Excellence Award finalists, by category, are as follows:

BRAND COLLABORATION
AIMEE KESTENBERG X VENESSA ARIZAGA, AK x VA Sonny Canvas Tote
GLEMAUD X TURA, VG0017 Blk
HAMMITT X BEA BONAFINI MR. G, Celestial Dawn Bag
PEARLY LUSTRE X SINGAPORE AIRLINES, Batik Earrings
STUART WEITZMAN X AKNVAS, Ruffle Bootie

EYEWEAR OPTICAL
BLAKE KUWAHARA EYEWEAR, The Kellogg
EYEWEAR BY DAVID BECKHAM, DB 7116
H HALSTON, 2005 021 Black
NICOLE MILLER, Cannes
VOGUE, oVO5527

EYEWEAR SUN
CARRERA, Flaglab 15
IN SANA, Eye Piece N.2
LANVIN, LLNV664S
TIFFANY & CO., TF4214U
TYCHE + ISET EYEWEAR, Labyrinthe in Blackjack

SUSTAINABILITY
ARNETTE, Catfish
BYBBA, The Balos
KENGOS FOOTWEAR, Bryce Lace Up
NAUTICA, N6257S
PIPER & SKYE, Lola Crossbody

TECH & INNOVATION
FREEMINDED CORP, The Diplomatic Pouch
PAPRDOLL EYEWEAR, Eyewear Applique
SHED RAIN, Vortex V2
SHINOLA DETROIT, The Canfield Speedway 44MM-LAP 06
SIDECAR, The OG

Sponsors of the 2023 Design Excellence Awards include FashionGo, Fashionphile, LIM College and Marchon Eyewear.